In-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device

ABSTRACT

An in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device includes (a) a mattress formed of viscoelastic foam, and having a rectangular top view footprint with a predetermined width at its widest point, and a predetermined length at its longest point, and having a left area cut-in and a right area cut-in, each of the cut-ins having a cut-in width equal to at least 12% of the predetermined width of the mattress, and each of the cut-ins having a cut-in length equal to at least twice the cut-in width; and, (b) a-protective cover containing the mattress, and having a shape, thickness, width and length sufficient to encompass the mattress. In some embodiments, the left cut-in and right cut-in are mirror images of one another. In other embodiments, the device is made wherein one of the left cut-in and the right cut-in is longer than the other, e.g. to accommodate a spare tire well or other protrusion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to creating sleeping and restingopportunities in the rear portions of sport utility vehicles, minivans,vans, pickup trucks and station wagons. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to in-vehicle viscoelastic bedding devices that havebeen uniquely conformed to contour wheel wells and spare tire wells. Theviscoelastic bedding device, as compared to other mattress materials,inhibits a sleeper from rolling into wheel wells and provides a moreevenly distributed support arrangement to provide enhanced sleep andrest.

2. Information Disclosure Statement

The following prior art is representative of the state of the art in thefield of:

U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,415 describes a novel, lightweight portable seatcushion using low-to-medium density cellular elastomer foams withpressure-reducing properties to maximize user comfort and a method formanufacturing one configuration of said cushion.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,052,851 describes a mattress which increases the surfacearea contacting the patient's skin, and which conforms evenly to theskin over the skin/surface interface. The mattress includes a flat layerof foam that is temperature sensitive and which has rate-dependentdeflection which provides maximal hysteric dampening and maximaltissue/surface interface contact. Different stiffnesses of foam are usedunder key areas to allow support and at the same time to allow thetissue to reach mechanical equilibrium. The maximal surface contact willapply constant low pressure to the tissues, thus reducing the shearforce and the risk of-tissue injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,256,821 B1 describes a mattress system including a firstsection of foam material forming the head section of a mattress, asecond section of foam material forming, the central section of themattress, and a third section of foam material forming the foot sectionof the mattress. The second section of foam material has a loadresponsive characteristic different from the load responsivecharacteristic of the first and third sections. The central section maybe replaced by an inflatable air chamber.

U.S. Pate. No. 6,653,363 B1 describes foaming a polyurethane foam atabove atmospheric pressure conditions using a mixture of polyisocyanateand a specific mixture of low molecular weight (high OH number)polyether and graft polyols producing viscoelastic foams with highfirmness, low energy losses and high temperature sensitivity such thatthe firmness is reduced by at least 25% when the foam is heated fromroom temperature (e.g., about 70° F. (21° C.)) to 100° F. (38° C.). Thefoam-forming ingredients are mixed together and foamed at controlledpressures in the range 1.05 to 1.5 bar (absolute), preferably 1.1 to 1.3bar (absolute).

Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taughtnor rendered obvious thereby.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an in-vehicle removable viscoelasticbedding device. The device includes (a) a mattress formed ofviscoelastic foam, and having a predetermined thickness and elasticity,and having a rectangular top view footprint with a predetermined widthat its widest point, and a predetermined length at its longest point,and having a left area cut-in and a right area cut-in, each of thecut-ins having a cut-in width equal to at least 12% of the predeterminedwidth of the mattress, and each of the cut-ins having a cut-in lengthequal to at least twice the cut-in width; and, (b) a protective covercontaining the mattress, and having a shape, thickness, width and lengthsufficient to encompass the mattress.

In some embodiments, the present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device left cut-in and right cut-in are mirrorimages of one another. In other embodiments, the present inventionin-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device is made wherein one ofthe left cut-in and the right cut-in is longer than the other, e.g. toaccommodate a spare tire well or other protrusion.

In some embodiments, the present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device cover has a sealable open peripheral sectionfor insertion and removal of the mattress. In some embodiments, thesealable open peripheral section includes a fastener. In some preferredembodiments, the fastener is selected from the group consisting of pullstring, hook and loop system, zipper, clasp and button.

In some embodiments, the present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device viscoelastic mattress is a viscoelasticurethane foam.

In some embodiments, the present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device, the mattress footprint is established toconform to a top view of a motor vehicle back area, selected from thegroup consisting of sport utility vehicles, family vans, panel trucksand pick up trucks, and the cut-ins are established to encompass wheelwells, especially wherein the motor vehicle back area is a sport utilityback area.

In other embodiments, the present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device includes, (a) a mattress formed of at leasttwo layers, including a top layer and a bottom layer, wherein the toplayer is a viscoelastic foam, the mattress having a predeterminedthickness and elasticity, and having a rectangular top view footprintwith a predetermined width at its widest point, and a predeterminedlength at its longest point, and having a left area cut-in and a rightarea cut-in, each of the cut-ins having a cut-in width equal to at least12% of the predetermined width of the-mattress, and each of the cut-inshaving a cut-in length equal to at least twice the cut-in width; and,(b) a protective cover containing the mattress, and having a shape,thickness, width and length sufficient to encompass the mattress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention should be more fully understood when thespecification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appendedhereto wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a partial cut rear oblique view of a pickup truck;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the FIG. 1 pickup truck, but with a presentinvention in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device;

FIG. 3 shows a top view present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device;

FIG. 4 shows an end cut view of the present invention in-vehicleremovable viscoelastic bedding device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows an uncut end view of the present invention in-vehicleremovable viscoelastic bedding device shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an cut end view of an alternative embodiment compositepresent invention in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding devicemattress;

FIG. 7 shows a partial top view of a sport utility vehicle with its roofremoved and showing a present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device; and,

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a modified present invention in-vehicleremovable viscoelastic bedding device that is adapted to fit a sportutility vehicle or sport utility truck with a spare tire well adjacent awheel well on one side of the cargo bay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention should be more fully understood when thespecification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appendedhereto wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a partial cut rear oblique view of pickup truck 1. Pickuptruck 1 includes a cab 3 and a cargo bed 10. Cargo bed 10 has a bottom5, walls 7 and 9 and a front wall 11. Wheel wells 13 and 15 extendupwardly into cargo bed 10. This is conventional for pickup trucks,sport utility vehicles, sport utility trucks, vans, minivans, andstation wagons. The design is nearly universal as it increases theavailable volume for storage, seating, etc., and still permits agenerally flat inside bottom for maximum cargo stability. The turn“vehicle” as used herein means any vehicle having a cargo area withwheel wells extending into the area and, hence, being higher than thecargo area base. Most significant is the sport utility vehicle, but thepresent invention in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device maybe used for sleeping, napping, child containment and child napping, aswell as other recreational and business travel uses.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the FIG. 1 pickup truck, but with a presentinvention in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device 20 placed inits cargo bed 10. As can be seen, present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device 20 has been formed to contour around wheelwells 13 and 15 and to fit adjacent walls 7, 9 and 11.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device 20 shown in FIG. 2 above. Device 20 is madeup of a mattress of viscoelastic material with a protective cover thathas a similar shape, height, width and length to accommodate themattress. Device 20 has a front 27, a back 29, left side 31, right side33, and top 21. Left cut-out 23 and right cut out 25 are mirror imagesand are established to circumvent wheel wells, such as wheel wells 13and 15 in FIG. 2.

Device 21 mattress has dimensions substantially identical to the device,as the cover has negligible thickness. It is the thickness of cloth orcanvass, or plastic coated webbing. For purposes of this application,the dimensions of the mattress and the device, within a fraction of aninch, are identical. Thus the mattress length is shown as L_(m) and themattress width W_(m). These are the maximum lengths and widths of themattress. Each of the cut-outs 23 and 25 have a predetermined lengthL_(c) and a predetermined width W_(c), wherein W_(c) is at least 12% ofW_(m) and wherein L_(c) is at least twice W_(c).

FIG. 4 shows an end cut view of the present invention in-vehicleremovable viscoelastic bedding device 20 of FIG. 2. The mattress 41 is asingle layer having a predetermined height H_(m). Thus, the entiremattress is formed of a viscoelastic material such as described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,653,363 B1, incorporated herein by reference. Mattress 41 istotally enclosed by protective cover 43. FIG. 5 shows an uncut end viewof the in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device 20 shown in FIG.4. Protective cover 43 has an end 45 with a zipper seam 47 and zipper 49that traverses the entire width and optionally around the corner a fewinches to permit removal and insertion of the mattress 41. In place ofzipper 49 could be any known fastening mechanism.

FIG. 6 shows an cut end view of an alternative embodiment compositepresent invention in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding devicemattress 60. Mattress 60 includes a top layer 61 of viscoelasticmaterial and a bottom layer 63 that may be viscoelastic material of adifferent density or non viscoelastic material such as conventionalmattress foam or similar material.

FIG. 7 shows a partial top view of a sport utility vehicle 70 with itsroof removed and showing a present invention in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device 90. Sport utility vehicle 70 has front seats73 and 75 and back seats 77, 79 and 87 (folded down and positioned underpart of bedding device 90). Sport utility vehicle also has side walls 71and 81 and back walls 89. Wheel wells 83 and 85 project upwardly abovethe floor level of the cargo bay. Present invention device 90 has thesame configuration as present invention device 20 in FIGS. 2 and 3,except that it is not as wide or long as what might be used in a pickuptruck. The cutouts 91 and 93 conform around wheel wells 83 and 85,respectively. The outer protective cover and the mattress may be formedin accordance with any of the prior descriptions.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a modified present invention in-vehicleremovable viscoelastic bedding device 100 that is adapted to fit a sportutility vehicle or truck or other cargo bay area with a spare tire welladjacent a wheel well on one side of the cargo bay area. Thus, presentinvention bedding device 100 has a front 103, a back 105, left side 107,right side 109 and top 101. Right side cutout 111 has been made tocircumvent a wheel well, while cutout 113 extends all the way to back105 and has been cut to conform to extended projections on the left side107 of a vehicle, mainly a combination wheel well and spare tire.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

1. An in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device, which comprises:(a) a mattress formed of viscoelastic foam, and having a predeterminedthickness and elasticity, and having a rectangular top view footprintwith a predetermined width at its widest point, and a predeterminedlength at its longest point, and having a left area cut-in and a rightarea cut-in, each of said cut-ins having a cut-in width equal to atleast 12% of said predetermined width of said mattress, and each of saidcut-ins having a cut-in length equal to at least twice said cut-inwidth; and, (b) a protective cover containing said mattress, and havinga shape, thickness, width and length sufficient to encompass saidmattress.
 2. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device ofclaim 1 wherein said left cut-in and said right cut-in are mirror imagesof one another.
 3. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding deviceof claim 1 wherein one of said left cut-in and said right cut-in islonger than the other.
 4. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic beddingdevice of claim 1 wherein said cover has a sealable open peripheralsection for insertion and removal of said mattress.
 5. The in-vehicleremovable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 4 wherein said sealableopen peripheral section includes a fastener.
 6. The in-vehicle removableviscoelastic bedding device of claim 5 wherein said fastener is selectedfrom the group consisting of pull string, hook and loop system, zipper,clasp and button.
 7. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic beddingdevice of claim 1 wherein said viscoelastic foam is a viscoelasticurethane foam.
 8. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding deviceof claim 1 wherein said mattress footprint is established to conform toa top view of a motor vehicle back area, selected from the groupconsisting of sport utility vehicles, family vans, panel trucks and pickup trucks, and said cut-ins are established to encompass wheel wells. 9.The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 1 whereinsaid motor vehicle back area is a sport utility back area
 10. Thein-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 1 wherein saidmattress includes a third cut-in adapted to conform to a spare tire wellof a vehicle.
 11. An in-vehicle removable viscoelasuc bedding device,which comprises: (a) a mattress formed of at least two layers, includinga top layer and a bottom layer, wherein said top layer is a viscoelasticfoam, said mattress having a predetermined thickness and elasticity, andhaving a rectangular top view footprint with a predetermined width atits widest point, and a predetermined length at its longest point, andhaving a left area cut-in and a right area cut-in, each of said cut-inshaving a cut-in width equal to at least 12% of said predetermined widthof said mattress, and each of said cut-ins having a cut-in length equalto at least twice said cut-in width; and, (b) a protective covercontaining said mattress, and having a shape, thickness, width andlength sufficient to encompass said mattress.
 12. The in-vehicleremovable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 11 wherein said leftcut-in and said right cut-in are mirror images of one another.
 13. Thein-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 11 wherein oneof said left cut-in and said right cut-in is longer than the other. 14.The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 11 whereinsaid cover has a sealable open peripheral section for insertion andremoval of said mattress.
 15. The in-vehicle removable viscoelasticbedding device of claim 14 wherein said sealable open peripheral sectionincludes a fastener.
 16. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic beddingdevice of claim 15 wherein said fastener is selected from the groupconsisting of pull string, hook and loop system, zipper, clasp andbutton.
 17. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device ofclaim 11 wherein said viscoelastic foam is a viscoelastic urethane foam.18. The in-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 11wherein said mattress footprint is established to conform to a top viewof a motor vehicle back area, selected from the group consisting ofsport utility vehicles, family vans, panel trucks and pick up trucks,and said cut-ins are established to encompass wheel wells.
 19. Thein-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 11 whereinsaid motor vehicle back area is a sport utility back area.
 20. Thein-vehicle removable viscoelastic bedding device of claim 11 whereinsaid mattress includes a third cut-in adapted to conform to a spare tirewell of a vehicle.